[mbell]

The new infotainment system looks to be a great improvement over recent Toyota efforts.

I'm interested in knowing how its inbuilt mapping service works. It's described as cloud navigation, Ergo, unless I'm very much mistaken, it has to connect to the internet somehow.

How does it do physically this? Details are a little sketchy. If I were to hazard a guess I'd say the vehicle probably uses a dedicated cellular modem. On a few websites, I've seen the dreaded word "subscription". Will you need to hand over hard cash to make this work? The dealership salesman was pretty clueless and had no idea at all.

Personally, I'm planning on using wireless CarPlay for my navigation needs.

 

[Motch6]

The new infotainment system looks to be a great improvement over recent Toyota efforts.

I'm interested in knowing how its inbuilt mapping service works. It's described as cloud navigation, Ergo, unless I'm very much mistaken, it has to connect to the internet somehow.

How does it do physically this? Details are a little sketchy. If I were to hazard a guess I'd say the vehicle probably uses a dedicated cellular modem. On a few websites, I've seen the dreaded word "subscription". Will you need to hand over hard cash to make this work? The dealership salesman was pretty clueless and had no idea at all.

Personally, I'm planning on using wireless CarPlay for my navigation needs.

You'll find this helpful! ...

basically Cloud Navigation is better than their previous "Dynamic" Navigation... It essentially means that it goes out a couple times a month and grabs new map information, including traffic flow, etc. I'm betting this is done via the Cellular connection. They same connection that uses "Safety Connect". Not sure its clear if you'll have to have a subscription to Drive Connect or Safety Connect to get the updated info. I'll bet you do! everything isn't free anymore!

 

[mbell]

You'll find this helpful! ...

basically Cloud Navigation is better than their previous "Dynamic" Navigation... It essentially means that it goes out a couple times a month and grabs new map information, including traffic flow, etc. I'm betting this is done via the Cellular connection. They same connection that uses "Safety Connect". Not sure its clear if you'll have to have a subscription to Drive Connect or Safety Connect to get the updated info. I'll bet you do! everything isn't free anymore!

Interesting, thanks. The video says that the vehicle has a "data communications module". Very likely to be a cellular connection, I would have thought.

And, if you don't have a subscription (or trial subscription) it won't show the map, but will show a subscription invitation screen instead!

Hmmm. My iPhone does all of this stuff, and much more, without any subscription, so I don't suppose I will be using it for long.

 

[GasStation]

In Canada, Drive Connect is $19.99 plus 15% taxes monthly. It's a really rip-off considering you might as well use your iPhone.

 

[GasStation]

There is no trial period here in Canada and the map function does not provide GPS groundspeed. I don't know why Toyota even bothers going through the trouble of developing software and then charging a hefty subscription fee. The very minimalist BZ4X LE FWD is sold for close to $55,000 + 15% tax in Canada. Heated steering wheel and front seats, a powered tailgate separates this car from a 2010 Corolla CE but for twice the price. Dealer fees have also doubled since 01 Dec here in Quebec. At least, in Canada, there is no market price adjustment, alias gouging, by dealerships as is the currenty practice in the USA.